Why Do We Do Church the World’s Way?

I always thought the church was supposed to go into the world, but I am wondering whether too many Christians have let the world get into the church.

Let me give you three examples.

Giving

Do you give to God’s work? I’m sure you do. But what about your motive for giving?

• Do you give only to your pet project or cause?
• Do you give only when a man in a shiny suit on TV tells you to give to his ministry?
• Do you give only because you think God will give back to you if you do?

I call upon the church (and that includes you if you are a Christian) to give as God directs, to give out of a pure heart, to give with no thought of any return, to give in secret and to give to the little guy — the low-profile, small-scale, grass-roots ministries.

The world’s way is to broadcast its generosity for all to see (just watch Children in Need for an example). Jesus said, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6: 3-4, NIV).

Gifts and Fruit

I am happy to be known as a Pentecostal Christian. I believe in spiritual gifts. I use the gifts. But the gifts are given for a purpose: for the common good (1 Corinthians 12: 7, NIV) ; for the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 14: 12, NIV); for the strengthening of the church (1 Corinthians 14: 26, NIV). They are not given to be paraded as badges of authority or status symbols.

What was Jesus more concerned with, gifts or fruit? Did He say, “by their gifts you will know them”? No, “By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them” (Matthew 7: 16-20, NIV).

I call upon the church to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the purpose for which they were intended by the giver, and to bear fruit that endures by abiding in the true vine, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15: 1-17).

The world’s way is self aggrandisement, blowing one’s own trumpet (just listen to a politician being interviewed). Jesus’ way is humility, service and contentment. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6: 10-11, NIV).

Power

I run my own business. My company’s chief objective is to generate funds for the work of God’s kingdom. The business is managed according to kingdom principles. It is a joy and a privilege to have Jesus as the managing director. What I am less happy about is when churches or Christian ministries take on the characteristics of business:

• Rich and powerful organisations offering to help a struggling ministry ‘but only if you do things our way’.
• Leaders of high-profile ministries insisting on using an executive jet when a scheduled flight would do.
• Pastors functioning more like company directors than shepherds of the flock.
• Churches treating their members like employees who have to toe the company line — or else.

I call upon the church to ponder the warning of Jesus to the church at Sardis in Revelation 3:1 (NIV): “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead”.

The world’s way is to fight your way to the top and by all possible means stay there. Jesus said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10: 42-45, NIV).

I Did It My Way

When we stand before God and give an account for the way we have discharged our responsibilities, particularly those of us who are church leaders, I hope that we shall be able to say, not “I did it my way”, nor “I did it the world’s way”, but “I have done the will of Him who sent me.”